Wisconsin State Patrol welcomes 30 new officers to its ranks

March 21, 2014

59th Recruit Class graduates sworn in during ceremony on Friday

After 23 weeks of intense training, 30 cadets were sworn in and received their badges as
Wisconsin State Patrol officers during a graduation ceremony in Tomah on Friday, March 21.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb administered the oath of office.

Cadets in the 59th Recruit Class began their training at the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy at
Fort McCoy on Oct. 6, 2013. Their training has prepared them for law enforcement careers as either
State Patrol troopers or inspectors in one of five regions in the state. Troopers generally patrol
highways to enforce traffic safety and criminal laws while inspectors focus primarily on
enforcement of motor carrier (large trucks and buses) safety laws and regulations.

"Throughout their rigorous training as cadets, our newest officers displayed the mental,
physical, and emotional strength to succeed in a variety of traffic and public safety missions,"
said Captain Gerald Voight, commander of the State Patrol Academy. "They completed comprehensive
instruction and hands-on training in an array of subjects, including traffic and criminal law,
firearms marksmanship, emergency vehicle operations, crisis management and traffic crash
investigations. The state requires at least 520 hours of training to earn certification as a law
enforcement officer. However, our cadets received more than 800 hours of training before
graduation, and they will continue their training and education throughout their careers."

At the graduation banquet, special awards were presented to four cadets for outstanding
performance during their training: